Wishing For A Happily Ever After (I Wish Book 2)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “What am I, chopped liver?” Ada snaps. “A two-year-old could put that together. Leave it to me, Pammy. I’ll make the next murder mystery night the best.”

  “Oh, just marvellous.”

  “Halloween? Murder mystery?” I whisper to Drake, taking my eyes off the body and Aaron’s stunned face.

  “Who did it? Why would someone do that to me?” Aaron asks quietly, not looking at anyone.

  Everyone ignores him, now talking about Halloween, which is months away.

  “Every Halloween, Mum and Dad’s friends take turns throwing a Halloween/murder mystery night. Each year it gets more competitive. It’s a tradition, and one that can’t be missed. Mum’s been dying for some new material.”

  “I don’t understand why any of this is happening to me!” Aaron yells, banging his fist on the table.

  I ignore him, staring at Drake like he’s grown two heads. “But she lives with an evil mastermind. Why doesn’t she just ask her?”

  He smirks. “Because at the last party, Grams nearly gave dad a heart attack. Luckily it was only indigestion from choking on his food.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t deserve any of this, none of it. What have I ever done?” Aaron cries, sounding distraught.

  And again, he’s ignored.

  “Yeah,” Drake laughs. “Gave us a right scare. Grams had some make-up artist come in and make her look dead. She even went into the walk-in freezer to cool her body down before sitting in the old rickety chair Mum had hired for decoration and pretended to be dead.”

  “She didn’t!” I gasp.

  A phone beeps.

  “She did.”

  Aaron groans. “I can’t take any more of these messages. If I wanted to see a fucking cock, I’d look at my own.”

  “Isn’t it hard to see something so small though?” Gabriella pipes in, earning a glare from Aaron.

  He throws his hands up in frustration just as his phone beeps with another alert. He looks disgusted before finally smashing the device at his feet, stepping on it.

  “I’m going to have nightmares for the rest of my life. This week has been traumatising. In fact, I don’t think I’ll ever get over it,” he cries, throwing himself back down on the chair in a slump.

  “Ah, damn. That app was the best prank we had going,” I pout.

  But one look in Ada’s direction tells me she’s already on it. She’ll have his new passwords as soon as he has a phone.

  “Surely it’s not that bad,” Pam says softly, but her lips twitch, showing she’s just as amused as the rest of us.

  “Pam, I dreamt of cocks last night,” he whispers, mortified.

  “I have those dreams all the time,” Ada tells him.

  The rest of us choke on laughter, unable to hold it in. “Maybe it’s the universe’s way of telling you something,” Gabriella sings. She’s really enjoying his discomfort, but then again, she hasn’t hidden her dislike for Aaron since I arrived.

  “And what’s that?” he snaps, glaring at her.

  “That you should be gay and leave the female population the hell alone.”

  He rears back like he’s been slapped and gasps. “Take that back.”

  “No.” She grins, sipping her drink.

  He looks to Jesse. “Get her to take that back. I’m not gay. I love women.”

  “But the women just don’t love you,” Gabriella teases.

  “That’s not true. Pagan’s in love with me, even after all these years.”

  I snort, disgusted at the smug look he gives Gabriella. “Not in this lifetime or the next.”

  The group laughs before Aaron turns his attention to me. “When you’re finally ready to admit it, I may not be here waiting for you.”

  My mouth gapes open. “You’ll be waiting an awfully long time, buddy.”

  He snorts as if what I’m saying isn’t true. “She loves me.”

  “Delusional.”

  “Okay, enough. Let’s enjoy the rest of the dinner,” Pam says. We all nod at her firm tone, not wanting to argue.

  “What shall I do with this?” Adam asks.

  “Put Kevin next to Aaron since they’re well-acquainted,” Ada says, gesturing to the body.

  *** *** ***

  Later that night, Drake walks me to my room. As I’m about to open my mouth to explain this morning and why we can’t keep doing this, his is on mine.

  “Drake,” I whimper, unsure whether it’s to pull away or to pull him closer.

  His kisses are hypnotising, rendering me speechless.

  “No more talking. I’ve missed you,” he whispers against my lips, slamming me against the door.

  What can I say to that?

  When he tugs me up his body, I happily wrap my legs around his waist and kiss him back passionately, leaving us both breathless.

  Tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll talk to him.

  Tonight it’s just us.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Ah, bachelorette parties.

  How much I enjoy screaming women, sloppy drunks and annoying screeching—not. Thankfully Amelia didn’t want strippers; otherwise, I’d be in twice as much hell right now. I think I’d be okay if I could sit down, relax and enjoy the fun alongside them.

  But after one of the band members showed up late, then began to moan over there not being any hot single chicks, I’d had enough. I had a headache forming, and I just wanted to forget tonight altogether.

  “I’m sorry about him,” Tobias, the lead singer, says.

  I smile, blushing at the handsome young musician. He’s covered in tattoos and is flaunting a rock-hard body under his tight white T-shirt.

  “It’s okay…. Um, can you tell him there’s no drinking on the job?” I ask, watching as the band member sneaks one of the free drinks from the bar.

  I pulled out all the stops for tonight, going as far as to make a backstage for the drag queens to get dressed and for the band to relax. A stage was built with red flowing curtains, making it look like a real show house.

  When Amelia explained how she wanted to do something different for the hen party, I hadn’t been surprised; so far, the only traditional wedding theme she’s had are the vows.

  I sat her down and asked her what her most memorable, favourite activity or moment had been, and she told me about a night she spent in Spain. The hotel she was staying at had a drag queen on for entertainment, and she claimed she’d never had as much fun as that night.

  So I got to work, giving her what she wanted.

  Earlier in the day, she and a small group of girlfriends went to a studio to learn how to pole dance. I stayed back, organising tonight, glad I did when Amelia came back with a bruised arse. Ada came back with stiches on her head after trying to do a manoeuvre someone her age just shouldn’t do. The video the girls managed to get was mortifying. I didn’t know where to look. Not only was Ada participating, but she was wearing the skimpiest outfit known to women. I’m pretty sure she’d leave strippers blushing.

  But seeing her front row centre, hooting at the stage, her injury doesn’t seem to be bothering her. She’s thoroughly enjoying herself.

  Tobias sighs before giving me an apologetic look. “I’ll go sort him out. I’m sorry about this.”

  I watch him go, admiring his jean-clad backside.

  He really does have a nice arse.

  Tonight wouldn’t have been so bad if there weren’t over thirty women currently screaming and laughing. But I’m counting my blessings because the spawn of Satan―Amelia’s mum―isn’t attending. According to Angela, who didn’t hold back when she told us, Amelia’s mother would rather scratch her eyes out.

  Well, her loss, our gain.

  She certainly isn’t missed, that’s for sure, but I could tell Amelia was disappointed deep down. Her mother hasn’t been involved in the wedding planning at all, but she doesn’t seem to mind voicing her opinion whenever possible.

  The song switches to Tina Turner and a smile touches my lips as I watch, laughing when
another Tina lookalike steps out, waggling her huge hair around like nobody’s business, giving the current one some sass.

  Amelia picked well. Everyone is thoroughly having the night of their lives.

  The band’s up next. I really should go make sure they have everything they need, but I’m too tired from staying up all night with Drake.

  Yes, my one last time turned into another night and another six orgasms.

  But in my defence, he’s really hard to say no to when he kisses me the way he does.

  And I miss him—like really miss him. He’s been gone all day, with not even a text or a phone call to tell me how his day’s going.

  And I’m becoming that clingy girl who needs to know what her man is doing at all times.

  My face scrunches up in horror, knowing I need to get a grip on myself before I do something stupid like tell him I love him.

  A door behind me slams shut, startling me. Going to investigate, I’m surprised to see the boys back so soon; they weren’t due for another three or four hours. What doesn’t surprise me is the thunderous look on Aaron’s face as he storms towards the ballroom, making sure to shoulder his way past me.

  “Hey,” I snap.

  Seconds later, he’s heading for the stairs, cursing.

  The lads are grinning as they walk up to me. “What’s up his arse?”

  “You, Pagan Salvatore, have made my wedding epic. When Amelia and I planned the three weeks, we did it because we didn’t want it to be dull, boring, or original, but this… I’m never going to forget this,” Jesse chuckles, walking past me before I have chance to ask why.

  Okay, more like ask if they recorded it.

  “Hey, you can’t go in there. It’s the hen party,” I yell, but he and his buddies ignore me and walk over to the girls, who are excited to see them.

  “Hey, you.” Drake’s husky voice sends a shiver down my spine.

  Turning, I wrap my arms around his waist, smiling up at him. “Hey. Are you drunk?”

  “Nope, just happy to see you.” He kisses the tip of my nose and my heart flutters. There’re so many small things he does that I don’t think he knows he does, which only makes it harder to not fall for him.

  I tried putting distance between the two of us, but one look from him, one kiss, and I forget why I even suggested it.

  I only have six days left, and even if I leave with a broken heart, I’m determined to spend the rest of my time―as much as I have free―with him.

  There’s one thing I’ve learnt from life and mostly Lola, and that’s to grip life with two hands and never let go. And if you manage to find the love of your life, enjoy every single minute of it. It will never come around twice. And I know that for a fact because no one, and I mean no one, could ever replace the time and moments Drake has blessed me with.

  “Miss me?” I tease, earning a sexy growl and kiss from him.

  “I should be spanking your arse, but you’re lucky the rest of us were left alone.”

  I feign innocence as I bat my eyelashes up at him. “Whatever do you mean?”

  “We were looking forward to the band they had playing, having a few drinks and maybe tying my brother to a lamppost naked. To our surprise, strippers walked out.”

  I grin, holding back my laughter. “Oh? Not pretty enough?”

  He shrugs, smirking. “You can help burn the image of what happened to Aaron out of my mind later with my own personal striptease.”

  A tingle shoots between my legs and I have to press my thighs together. The look he’s giving me says it all—I’ll be stripping for him later. And surprisingly, I’m looking forward to it.

  “If you say so,” I muse. “What happened to Aaron?”

  When we booked ‘Drags on Tour’ for Amelia, we noticed another service they provided. A group of men, transvestites, and some women strip, putting on a dance show and whatnot.

  When I emailed them the other day, I didn’t expect them to agree to my terms, but thankfully after I told them what a harmless jerk Aaron was, making sure they knew he wouldn’t hurt any of their employees with the act, they agreed.

  And after one email, a photo of Aaron and their payment, it was all set. What I never got to know was what the act would be like.

  “A dominatrix stripper tied him to the chair. He loved it.”

  Really?

  “So what’s the problem?” I ask, bummed my plan didn’t work.

  “Aaron spent nearly the entire act chatting her up. Even managed to score a date. But towards the end of the act, she dropped her skirt.” He stops again and I stomp my foot, wanting him to get to the good bits.

  “And?”

  He grins. “She was a transvestite with a very large appendage.”

  Laughing, I bend forward, gripping Drake’s biceps. “Please tell me you recorded it.”

  He laughs. “Jon has it all on tape. Apparently their manager pulled him aside when we got there and said it was requested it be recorded.”

  ‘Drags on Tour’ don’t usually let you record their employees, but after he heard Aaron is homophobic, he was happy to.

  “What did Aaron do?”

  There’s a twinkle in his eye. “Nothing. He had to sit, straining in his seat, until the act was over. The staff cleared out before we untied him, but we made sure to get some photos taken before she left, with her on his lap.”

  He takes out his phone and clicks on his gallery. Swiping through the pictures, my laughter comes freely. They’re all standing behind an angry-faced Aaron with wide grins, some even laughing. He has nipple clamps on and angry red marks on his chest, which makes me chuckle. She didn’t hold back.

  My eyes go to the woman on his lap. She’s really beautiful. I can understand why he was so determined to score a date. My eyes flicker to the appendage dangling between the two and laugh.

  “My, she’s huge.”

  “That’s what we said.” He grins.

  “Did you have a good night?”

  “Yeah, it was ace. All of them were brilliant.”

  “Oh yeah? Did you get a striptease?”

  “Oh yeah.” He pulls me closer. “The bloke even told me about his three kids and wife. Jesse invited him to his wedding. Great guy.”

  My smile widens. “Really?”

  “Yeah. He does it for the extra money to support his family, and when Jesse overheard, they got talking. In the end, we all sat back, watched Aaron’s performance and got to know our strippers. Jon even has a date with his.”

  “Good for him.”

  “Um, what is Grams drinking?” Drake asks suddenly, looking behind me.

  His concern for his grams is incredibly sweet. “Lemonade. She had a fall earlier and banged her head. Don’t worry, she’s completely fine. The pain medication the doctors gave her can’t be taken with alcohol.”

  “Then why is she swinging her bra around… she just threw it at the lead singer,” Drake gasps in horror.

  “What?” I spin around and sure enough, a bra is hanging from the mic Tobias is using. “But she isn’t drinking.”

  Pam already warned me the third night we stayed here that Ada can get a little too merry after having a drink. And has been known to strip whilst under the influence of whiskey.

  “Did you check her bag?” Drake sighs. I turn in time to see him scrub a hand down his face.

  Confused, I raise an eyebrow. “Why would I do that?”

  He looks at me like I should know. “Because she’s Grams. She hides alcohol in her knicker drawer.”

  I gasp. “She wouldn’t do that to me,” I tell him quickly. We formed a bond. She loves me. She wouldn’t do it.

  But as soon as the words leave my mouth, I want to slap myself.

  Because of course she would.

  “You sure about that?” he asks, doubt filling his voice before he groans.

  My attention turns back to Ada and I panic. “I need danger pay for this,” I tell him before rushing off to get Ada off the stage.

  I mouth an
apology to Tobias as I grab her arm. “Come on, Ada. Let’s go sit down so they can do their thing.”

  “They can do it with me. I’ve been known to shake my booty a time or two.”

  “Yes, I’m sure you have.” I help her down the stairs just as Tobias asks if anyone can sing.

  To my horror, Alison, who has the night off, screams my name. “She can sing better than anyone I’ve ever heard.”

  And she manages to embarrass me and insult him in the same sentence. Only Alison.

  “I really am sorry,” I tell Tobias, but he just winks.

  “Is that right?” he asks into the mic.

  “Yep. Her twin is in a band.”

  “There are two of you?” Drake asks, and I can hear the smirk in his voice.

  Dirty fucker.

  I’ve only told him about my brothers, forgetting to mention Sid’s my twin.

  Turning around, I smile sweetly up at him. “Yeah, Sid would really love you.”

  His eyes widen for a second before he chuckles. “Knew you were one of a kind.”

  And again with the damn heart flutters. He really needs to stop doing that.

  “Come on up, Pagan. Show us what you got,” Tobias calls.

  My eyes widen in horror because I don’t sing. Okay, I sing, just not in public or in front of pretty much anyone, ever. I’ll never understand how my brother can do it, or stand in front of a classroom full of kids and teach them.

  “Oh no, no, no!”

  “Go on, show me what you got. Or are you scared?” Drake whispers.

  He has no idea.

  “I’m not singing.”

  Everyone starts chanting my name and I look at Drake for help. He just grins, shrugging.

  I’m not going to get out of this.

  With some luck, and more drink poured into them, they’ll forget the whole ordeal in the morning.

  “Okay, just… can you go?” I ask Drake. Maybe then I’ll be able to get through it without puking.

  “Is that what you want?” he asks gently, running his finger down my cheek.

  “Please.” I sigh with relief, glad he understands, but then he gives me that all-knowing smirk. I narrow my eyes because it can only mean he’s up to something.